Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle

Monday

Sep 9, 2013 at 12:48 PM

A 50-year-old woman has died from injuries she sustained Monday morning after being struck on Farmer Road in Denton.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

A 50-year-old woman has died from injuries she sustained Monday morning after being struck on Farmer Road in Denton.Chief Mark Hicks of the Denton Police Department said late Monday morning that Mary Sexton of Farmer Road died at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center. Troopers with the N.C. Highway Patrol were dispatched to a pedestrian being struck on Farmer Road, about one-tenth of a mile from N.C. Highway 109, at 7:55 a.m.Hicks said a Chevrolet Blazer, driven by 42-year-old Michael Harris of Thomasville, was traveling west on Farmer Road. The chief explained Sexton was walking on the white line of the roadway. "From what we have gathered so far, the pedestrian stepped in the roadway before he had a chance to swerve," Hicks said. "(Harris) said he saw her walking and (she) stepped in the roadway in front of his vehicle."Hicks arrived on the scene and assisted paramedics with performing CPR on Sexton. A Davidson County 911 supervisor said Sexton was transported by emergency traffic to TMC. Hicks said Harris was not injured, and Sexton was not too far from her residence when she was struck by the vehicle.Hicks said the accident involving the pedestrian remains under investigation. He said as of late Monday morning he didn't know if charges would be issued.Hicks said Denton Police Officer James Cody Fritts was involved in an accident with a pickup truck as he tried to respond to Farmer Road. The chief said Fritts, who has been with the DPD since January 2012, was coming off of Salisbury Street and turning onto N.C. Highway 109 North as a pickup truck was in the inside lane of N.C. 109 traveling south beside of a tractor-trailer. As the 2008 Dodge Charger patrol vehicle was trying to make the turn, a collision occurred. Hicks said his officer was operating the patrol vehicle with lights and sirens on.First Sgt. B.D. Stalvey of the Highway Patrol said the accident resulted in property damage only and no injuries. He said it appears the patrol car is totaled and the truck had about $6,000 in damage. Stalvey said he is discussing possible charges with the Davidson County District Attorney's Office. The first sergeant said Fritts' vision was hindered by a tractor-trailer and the vehicle also couldn't see the patrol car as well due to the tractor-trailer. Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.